Manufacturers keep the world moving. From food processing to aerospace, the work you do is essential. And as your production lines become more intelligent and more connected, so do the associated risks. Cyberattacks, accidental data leaks, and equipment downtime can strike quickly and severely. For small to mid-sized manufacturers, managing security and IT systems in-house can be overwhelming and expensive. That’s why many companies are turning to Managed Service Providers (MSPs) for help.
As an MSP with manufacturing clients, we see the problems you face every day. We’ll cover some of the big ones here, along with ways we can help.
Essentially, MSPs provide expert support without requiring you to build a whole IT team. We can monitor your systems, prevent problems from escalating, and keep your team productive with minimal interruptions. It’s about staying protected, staying compliant, and keeping your operation moving day and night.
The Real-World Cost of Downtime
A cyberattack might sound like something that only happens to big companies, but that’s no longer true. Criminals target small and mid-sized manufacturers because they often have weaker defenses. Ransomware can lock up your systems. A data breach can expose years of work. And every minute your machines are down, your profits take a hit.
Studies show unplanned downtime in manufacturing can cost tens of thousands of dollars per minute. Even an hour offline can cause massive delays, missed shipments, and damaged relationships with customers and suppliers.
But you don’t have to be a massive enterprise to have effective protection. When you partner with an MSP like us, you get access to layered security tools from the basics to cutting edge. From MFA to simulated phishing training, EDR to MDR and XDR, MSPs can offer you advanced protection that’s also affordable.
You also get secure backups that you can recover from if disaster strikes. If your servers go down or your files are encrypted in a ransomware attack, you won’t be left scrambling or forced to pay hackers to recover your data.
Always On Needs Always Monitoring
With 24/7 connectivity, you need 24/7 monitoring. Your systems and operations are under attack every moment they have Internet, so you need intelligent tools to identify unusual behavior, track threats, and respond promptly before significant damage occurs.
For example, if your server accepts a login from a country where you do not have any employees working or traveling, effective monitoring tools will sound the alarm and withhold the access until the login can be verified. It’s enterprise-level protection with local, personal support.
Protecting the Ideas That Power Your Products
Your intellectual property is what sets you apart from others. Design specs, material formulas, CAD files, blueprints—these are the crown jewels of your business. If that information is stolen or leaked, your competitive edge could disappear. Competitors or bad actors could copy your processes or steal trade secrets before you even realize there’s a problem.
MSPs utilize advanced security tools to block unauthorized access and safeguard your information. With encryption, firewalls, and endpoint protection, you’re no longer leaving your secrets up to chance.
Compliance Without the Confusion
You face strict data regulations as a manufacturer. Whether it’s ISO 27001, NIST, or regional compliance rules, failure to meet standards can result in significant fines or lost business. MSPs know the rules and help you stay on track. Whether you need to conduct an audit, enforce secure protocols, or ensure your systems are prepared for any compliance check, an MSP can help you avoid fines and maintain your regulatory status.
Supply Chains Are Only as Strong as Their Weakest Link
Your business doesn’t run on its own. You depend on suppliers, distributors, and logistics partners. If one piece of that chain fails due to a cyberattack, your entire production line could come to a halt. And technology is only one part of the picture. Many breaches begin with a simple human error—clicking on a malicious link, reusing a weak password, or sending the wrong file to the wrong recipient.
MSPs help reduce that risk by securing the links in your supply chain. Whether your team needs training to spot common threats and follow basic security steps or reminders to verify someone is who they say they are before changing that ACH account, we can offer emails, videos, and even gamified programs to keep your employees and partners alert and aware. This is in addition to implementing detection tools that catch problems early and keep goods moving
A Full Security Strategy for Modern Challenges
Security doesn’t happen by accident. It takes a plan. As a manufacturer in today’s business world, you need an MSP that can develop a strategy tailored to your specific size, budget, and business type. This includes reviewing risks, updating outdated systems, establishing clear security policies, and fostering a company-wide security culture.
You don’t need to know everything about cybersecurity. You need the right partner to guide you through it.
Why Manufacturers Choose MSPs
The right MSP becomes an extension of your team. They help you stay ahead of modern threats, reduce downtime, and avoid costly mistakes. They give your team the confidence to focus on production, not fixing IT issues. Most of all, they help your business keep moving forward, securely and efficiently.
Take Action Before a Problem Hits
It’s easy to ignore cybersecurity until something goes wrong. But by then, it’s often too late. Protect your systems, your products, and your people today. Palmetto Technology Group (PTG) offers a complimentary security assessment for manufacturing companies ready to take their protection seriously. Request yours today.
About PTG
Palmetto Technology Group (PTG) is an award-winning IT support and managed service provider headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. We believe in delivering phenomenal IT experiences by people you’ll love.
As a trusted partner, our goal is to help business owners lower their risk, secure their data, and promote productive employees. To learn more, book a meeting with one of our solutions specialists here.
